Systems and methods for monitoring system equipment diagnosis

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments provide systems and methods for diagnosing monitoring system equipment functionality. In some instances, a first test command is provided to a user attached monitor device and a second test command is provided to a user detached monitor device. A first test result is received from the user attached monitor device and a second test result is received from the user detached monitor device. A combination of the first test result and the second test result is analyzed to determine an operation status.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments provide systems and methods for diagnosingmonitoring system equipment functionality.

Large numbers of individuals are currently monitored as part of parolerequirements or other requirements. Such monitoring allows a monitoringagency to determine whether the individual is engaging in acceptablepatterns of behavior, and where an unacceptable behavior is identifiedto stop such behavior going forward. In many monitoring systems, failureof one or more elements of the monitoring system limits the ability todiscern individual behavior.

Thus, for at least the aforementioned reasons, there exists a need inthe art for more advanced approaches, devices and systems formonitoring.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments provide systems and methods for diagnosingmonitoring system equipment functionality.

This summary provides only a general outline of some embodiments. Manyother objects, features, advantages and other embodiments will becomemore fully apparent from the following detailed description, theappended claims and the accompanying drawings and figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the various embodiments may be realized byreference to the figures which are described in remaining portions ofthe specification. In the figures, similar reference numerals are usedthroughout several drawings to refer to similar components. In someinstances, a sub-label consisting of a lower case letter is associatedwith a reference numeral to denote one of multiple similar components.When reference is made to a reference numeral without specification toan existing sub-label, it is intended to refer to all such multiplesimilar components.

FIG. 1a is a block diagram illustrating a hybrid monitoring systemincluding both a user attached monitor device and a user detachedmonitor device in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 1b is a block diagram of a user detached monitor device usable inaccordance with one or more embodiments;

FIG. 1c is a block diagram of a user attached monitor device including alocal communication link in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 1d shows a user attached monitor device with an attachment elementfor attaching the user attached monitor device to a limb of anindividual in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing a method in accordance with someembodiments for using a combination of a user detached monitor deviceand a user attached monitor device to diagnose operational status of oneor both of the user detached monitor device and/or the user attachedmonitor device;

FIGS. 3a-3b are flow diagrams showing a method in accordance with someembodiments for using a combination of a user detached monitor deviceand a user attached monitor device to determine whether a tamperindication from the user attached monitor device is spurious;

FIGS. 4a-4b are flow diagrams showing a method in accordance with someembodiments for using a combination of a user detached monitor deviceand a user attached monitor device to determine operational status oflocation circuitry in one or both of the user detached monitor deviceand/or the user attached monitor device;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing a method in accordance with someembodiments for using a combination of a user detached monitor deviceand a user attached monitor device to diagnose operational status ofWiFi functionality of one or both of the user detached monitor deviceand/or the user attached monitor device; and

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a method in accordance with someembodiments for using a combination of a user detached monitor deviceand a user attached monitor device to diagnose operational status ofmotion detection functionality of one or both of the user detachedmonitor device and/or the user attached monitor device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments provide systems and methods for diagnosingmonitoring system equipment functionality.

It has been found that returning offenders to society after being lockedup in a secure facility with little if any control of their day to dayactivities is often unsuccessful. It is often helpful to have, forexample, a parole officer monitor their movements and activities for aperiod of time as they reenter society. In some cases, the paroleofficer is aided by a tracking device attached to the individual beingmonitored. However, this is costly as a parole officer must besignificantly involved in monitoring and responding to situations. Someembodiments disclosed herein reduce the interaction between the trackingdevice and the parole officer.

Further, it has been found that once a monitoring term has beencompleted and a monitored individual has been fully released intosociety without oversight, the chances that the individual willre-engage in problematic behavior is high. Various embodiments disclosedherein provide tools and devices that continue to support the individualas they transition away from the active oversight by, for example, aparole officer.

Various embodiments provide methods for determining operation status ofa monitoring system. Such methods include: providing a first testcommand to a user attached monitor device where the user attachedmonitor device is physically attached to an individual being monitored;providing a second test command to a user detached monitor device wherethe user detached monitor device is associated with the individual beingmonitored; receiving a first test result corresponding to the first testcommand from the user attached monitor device; receiving a second testresult corresponding to the second test command from the user detachedmonitor device; and analyzing a combination of the first test result andthe second test result to determine an operation status of at least oneof the user attached monitor device and the user detached monitordevice.

In some instances of the aforementioned embodiments, the methods furtherinclude: providing the user attached monitor device, and providing theuser detached monitor device. The user attached monitor device includes,but is not limited to, location determination functionality, motiondetermination functionality, and a strap for attaching the user attachedmonitor device to the individual. the user detached monitor deviceincludes, but is not limited to: location determination functionality,and motion determination functionality. In some cases, the user detachedmonitor device is a cellular telephone.

In various instances of the aforementioned embodiments, the analysis isperformed by a central monitoring station. In such instances, themethods may further include reporting an analysis result derived fromanalyzing the combination of the first test result and the second testresult. The analysis result is reported from the central monitoringstation to a person (e.g., a technician or a person assigned to monitorthe individual). In one or more instances of the aforementionedembodiments, the analyzing is performed by the user detached monitordevice. In such instances, the methods may further include reporting ananalysis result derived from analyzing the combination of the first testresult and the second test result. The analysis result is reported fromthe user detached monitor device to a person (e.g., a technician or aperson assigned to monitor the individual) via the central monitoringstation.

In some instances of the aforementioned embodiments, the first testcommand commands the user attached monitor device to determine locationof the user attached monitor device, and the second test commandcommands the user detached monitor device to determine location of theuser detached monitor device. The first test result is a location of theuser attached monitor device, or a location unavailable message; and thesecond test result is a location of the user detached monitor device, ora location unavailable message. The methods further include analyzingthe combination of the first test result and the second test resultutilizing both the first test result and the second test result todetermine an analysis result. The analysis result indicates: a userattached location test fail, a user detached location test fail, alocation test indefinite, a user attached location test pass, or a userdetached location test pass. In some cases, the user attached monitordevice determines the location of the user attached monitor device usingwireless satellite signals and the user detached monitor devicedetermines the location of the user detached monitor device usingwireless satellite signals. In various cases, the user attached monitordevice determines the location of the user attached monitor device usingwireless signals from one or more WiFi access points and the userdetached monitor device determines the location of the user detachedmonitor device using wireless signals from one or more WiFi accesspoints.

In various instances of the aforementioned embodiments, the first testcommand commands the user attached monitor device to identify WiFiaccess points visible to the user attached monitor device, and thesecond test command commands the user detached monitor device toidentify WiFi access points visible to the user detached monitor device.The first test result is the list of the of WiFi access points visibleto the user attached monitor device, and the second test result is thelist of the of WiFi access points visible to the user detached monitordevice. Analyzing the combination of the first test result and thesecond test result includes comparing the list of WiFi access pointsvisible to the user attached monitor device to the list of WiFi accesspoints visible to the user detached monitor device to determine thatboth the user attached monitor device and the user detached monitordevice are seeing a common subset of the list of WiFi access pointsvisible to the user attached monitor device and the list of WiFi accesspoints visible to the user detached monitor device.

In some instances of the aforementioned embodiments, the first testcommand commands the user attached monitor device to determine motion ofthe user attached monitor device, and the second test command commandsthe user detached monitor device to determine motion of the userdetached monitor device. The first test result may be a motionindication, a no motion indication, a plurality of motion indications, aplurality of no motion indications, or a combination of motionindications and no motion indication. The second test result may be amotion indication, a no motion indication, a plurality of motionindications, a plurality of no motion indications, or a combination ofmotion indications and no motion indication. Analyzing the combinationof the first test result and the second test result includes comparingthe second test result with the first test result.

In various instances of the aforementioned embodiments, the first testcommand commands the user attached monitor device to determine motion ofthe user attached monitor device, and the second test command commandsthe user detached monitor device to determine motion of the userattached monitor device. The first test result includes a first list oftime stamped indications obtained over a first period of time by theuser attached monitor device. The list of time stamped indicationsincludes: at least one motion indication, at least one no motionindication, or a combination of at least one motion indication and atleast one no motion indication. The second test result includes a firstlist of time stamped indications obtained over a first period of time bythe user attached monitor device. Again, the list of time stampedindications includes: at least one motion indication, at least one nomotion indication, or a combination of at least one motion indicationand at least one no motion indication. Analyzing the combination of thefirst test result and the second test result includes comparing at leastone entry in the first test result with at least one entry in the secondtest result where the at least one entry in the first test resultcorresponds to a time stamp indicating a time similar to a time stampcorresponding to the at least one entry in the second test result.

Other embodiments provide systems for determining operation status of amonitoring system. The systems include a central monitoring stationhaving a processor and a computer readable medium. The computer readablemedium including instructions executable by the processor to: provide afirst test command to a user attached monitor device, wherein the userattached monitor device is physically attached to an individual beingmonitored; provide a second test command to a user detached monitordevice, wherein the user detached monitor device is associated with theindividual being monitored; receive a first test result corresponding tothe first test command from the user attached monitor device; receive asecond test result corresponding to the second test command from theuser detached monitor device; and analyze a combination of the firsttest result and the second test result to determine an operation statusof at least one of the user attached monitor device and the userdetached monitor device.

In some instances of the aforementioned embodiments, the computerreadable medium further includes instructions executable by theprocessor to provide the user attached monitor device. The user attachedmonitor device includes: location determination functionality, motiondetermination functionality, and a strap for attaching the user attachedmonitor device to the individual. In various instances of theaforementioned embodiments, the computer readable medium furtherincludes instructions executable by the processor to provide the userdetached monitor device. The user detached monitor device includes:location determination functionality, and motion determinationfunctionality. In one or more instances of the aforementionedembodiments, the user detached monitor device is a cellular telephone.

Turning to FIG. 1a , a block diagram illustrates a hybrid monitoringsystem 100 including both a user attached monitor device 110 and a userdetached monitor device 120 in accordance with various embodiments. Alocal communication link 112 allows for communication between userattached monitor device 110 and user detached monitor device 120. Localcommunication link 112 may be any communication link that is capable oftransferring information or otherwise communicating between two deviceswithin a relatively short distance of each other. In some cases, forexample, local communication link 112 may be a Bluetooth™ communicationlink. In other examples, local communication link 112 may be a line ofsight infrared communication link. As yet other examples, localcommunication link 112 may be a WiFi communication link. Based upon thedisclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of communication protocols and/or media that may beused to implement local communication link 112.

User detached monitor device 120 is portable, and may be any device thatis recognized as being used by or assigned to an individual beingmonitored, but is not physically attached to the individual beingmonitored by a tamper evident attaching device. User detached monitordevice 120 may be, but is not limited to, a cellular telephone capableof communication with user attached monitor device 110 via localcommunication link 112. In contrast, user attached monitor device 110 isattached to the individual being monitored using a tamper evidentattaching device like a strap. User attached monitor device 110 may be,but is not limited to, a tracking device that is attached around thelimb of an individual and includes indicators to monitor whether thedevice has been removed from the individual or otherwise tampered.Hybrid monitoring system 100 further includes a central monitoringstation 160 wirelessly coupled to user attached monitor device 110 anduser detached monitor device 120 via one or more wide area wireless(e.g., cellular telephone network, Internet via a Wi-Fi access point, orthe like) communication networks 150.

User detached monitor device 120 includes a location sensor that sensesthe location of the device and generates a location data. For example,when user detached monitor device 120 is capable of receiving wirelessglobal navigation satellite system (hereinafter “GNSS”) locationinformation 130, 131, 132 from a sufficient number of GPS or GNSSsatellites 145 respectively, user detached monitor device 120 may usethe received wireless GNSS location information to calculate orotherwise determine the location of user attached monitor device 110.Global positioning system (hereinafter “GPS) is one example of a GNSSlocation system. While GPS is used in the specific embodiments discussedherein, it is recognized that GPS may be replaced by any type of GNSSsystem. In some instances, this location includes latitude, longitude,and elevation. It should be noted that other types of earth-basedtriangulation may be used in accordance with different embodiments ofthe present invention. For example, other cell phone basedtriangulation, UHF band triangulation such as, for example, long range(hereinafter “LoRa”) triangulation signals. Based on the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize othertypes of earth-based triangulation that may be used. The location datamay comprise one or more of, but is not limited to: global positioningsystem (“GPS”) data, Assisted GPS (“A-GPS”) data, Advanced Forward LinkTrilateration (“AFLT”) data, and/or cell tower triangulation data. WhereGPS is used, user detached monitor device 120 receives locationinformation from three or more GPS satellites 145 a, 145 b, 145 c viarespective communication links 130, 131, 132. The aforementionedlocation data is utilized to verify the location of a user associatedwith user detached monitor device 120 at various points as more fullydiscussed below. User detached monitor device 120 is considered“ambiguous” because it is not attached to the user in a tamperresistant/evident way, but rather is freely severable from the user andthus could be used by persons other than the target. Various processesdiscussed herein mitigate the aforementioned ambiguity to yield areasonable belief that information derived from user detached monitordevice 120 corresponds to the target.

The location data and/or other data gathered by user detached monitordevice 120 is wirelessly transmitted to central monitoring station 160via wide area wireless network 150 accessed via a wireless link 133.Central monitoring station 160 may be any location, device or systemwhere the location data is received, including by way of non-limitingexample: a cellular/smart phone, an email account, a website, a networkdatabase, and a memory device. The location data is stored by centralmonitoring station 160 and is retrievable by a monitor, such as aparent, guardian, parole officer, court liaison, spouse, friend, orother authorized group or individual. In this manner, the monitor isable to respond appropriately to the detected out-of-bounds activity bya user. In some cases, the monitor is able to retrieve the location datavia a user interaction system 185 which may be, but is not limited to, anetwork connected user interface device communicatively coupled via anetwork to central monitoring station 160 and/or directly to userdetached monitor device 120 via wide area wireless network 150.

User detached monitor device 120 may further include a useridentification sensor operable to generate user identification data foridentifying the user in association with the generation of the locationdata. The user identification data may comprise one or more of: imagedata, video data, biometric data (e.g. fingerprint, DNA, retinal scan,etc. data), or any other type of data that may be used to verify theidentity of the user at or near the time the location data is generated.And the user identification sensor may comprise one or more of: acamera, microphone, heat sensor, biometric data sensor, or any othertype of device capable of sensing/generating the aforementioned types ofuser identification data.

The user identification data is wirelessly transmitted in associationwith the location data to central monitoring station 160 via a wirelesstransmitter communicatively coupled to the user identification sensor.The user identification data is stored in association with the locationdata by central monitoring station 160 and is retrievable therefrom by amonitor, such as a parent, guardian, parole officer, court liaison,spouse, friend, or other authorized group or individual. Preferably, themonitor is able to retrieve the location data via a network connecteduser interface device communicatively coupled—via the network—to centralmonitoring station 160 and/or to user detached monitor device 120. Thelocation data may be transmitted to central monitoring station 160independent of the user identification data, for example, during aperiodic check-in with central monitoring system 160.

User detached monitor device 120 may further comprise a memorycommunicatively coupled to a control unit—which is also communicativelycoupled to the location sensor, the identification sensor and thewireless transceiver—for controlling the operations thereof inaccordance with the functionalities described herein. The memory mayinclude non-transient instructions (e.g., software of firmware-basedbased instructions) executable by the control unit to perform and/orenable various functions associated with user detached monitor device120. As user detached monitor device 120 is portable, each of thecomponents may be located within, immediately adjacent to, or exposedwithout, a device housing whose dimensions are such that user detachedmonitor device 120 as a whole may be discretely carried by the user, forexample, within a pocket or small purse. User detached monitor device120 may include a Wi-Fi transceiver capable of receiving informationfrom one or more Wi-Fi access points 187 that can be used to discernlocation via a Wi-Fi communication link 109.

Central monitoring station 160 may include a server supported website,which may be supported by a server system comprising one or morephysical servers, each having a processor, a memory, an operatingsystem, input/output interfaces, and network interfaces, all known inthe art, coupled to the network. The server supported website comprisesone or more interactive web portals through which the monitor maymonitor the location of the user in accordance with the describedembodiments. In particular, the interactive web portals may enable themonitor to retrieve the location and user identification data of one ormore users, set or modify ‘check-in’ schedules, and/or set or modifypreferences. The interactive web portals are accessible via a personalcomputing device, such as for example, a home computer, laptop, tablet,and/or smart phone.

In some embodiments, the server supported website comprises a mobilewebsite or mobile application accessible via a software application on amobile device (e.g. smart phone). The mobile website may be a modifiedversion of the server supported website with limited or additionalcapabilities suited for mobile location monitoring.

User attached monitor device 110 includes a location sensor that sensesthe location of the device and generates a location data. For example,when user attached monitor device 110 is capable of receiving wirelessglobal navigation satellite system (hereinafter “GNSS”) locationinformation 136, 138, 139 from a sufficient number of GPS or GNSSsatellites 145 respectively, user attached monitor device may use thereceived wireless GNSS location information to calculate or otherwisedetermine the location of human subject 110. Global positioning system(hereinafter “GPS) is one example of a GNSS location system. While GPSis used in the specific embodiments discussed herein, it is recognizedthat GPS may be replaced by any type of GNSS system. In some instances,this location includes latitude, longitude, and elevation. It should benoted that other types of earth-based triangulation may be used inaccordance with different embodiments of the present invention. Forexample, other cell phone based triangulation, UHF band triangulationsuch as, for example, long range (hereinafter “LoRa”) triangulationsignals. Based on the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skillin the art will recognize other types of earth-based triangulation thatmay be used. The location data may comprise one or more of, but is notlimited to: global positioning system (“GPS”) data, Assisted GPS(“A-GPS”) data, Advanced Forward Link Trilateration (“AFLT”) data,and/or cell tower triangulation data. Where GPS is used, user attachedmonitor device 110 receives location information from three or more GPSor GNSS satellites 145 via respective communication links 136, 138, 139.The location data and/or other data gathered by user attached monitordevice 110 is wirelessly transmitted to central monitoring station 160via wide area wireless network 150 accessed via a wireless link 135.Again, central monitoring station 160 may be any location, device orsystem where the location data is received, including by way ofnon-limiting example: a cellular/smart phone, an email account, awebsite, a network database, and a memory device. The location data isstored by central monitoring station 160 and is retrievable by amonitor, such as a parent, guardian, parole officer, court liaison,spouse, friend, or other authorized group or individual. In this manner,monitor is able to respond appropriately to the detected out-of-boundsactivity by a user.

User attached monitor device 110 may further comprise a memorycommunicatively coupled to a control unit—which is also communicativelycoupled to the location sensor, the identification sensor and thewireless transceiver—for controlling the operations thereof inaccordance with the functionalities described herein. The memory mayinclude non-transient instructions (e.g., software of firmware-basedbased instructions) executable by the control unit to perform and/orenable various functions associated with user attached monitor device110. User attached monitor device may include a strap which can bewrapped around a limb of the individual being monitored to secure userattached monitor device to the individual. The strap includes one ormore tamper circuits and/or sensors that allow for a determination as towhether the device has been removed or otherwise tampered. Examples of astrap and tamper detection circuitry that may be used in relation tovarious embodiments discussed herein are described in U.S. Pat. No.9,355,579 entitled “Methods for Image Based Tamper Detection”, and filedby Buck et al. on Sep. 15, 2014; and US Pat. Pub. No. US 2017-0270778 A1entitled “Systems and Methods for Improved Monitor Attachment”, andfiled by Melton et al. on Mar. 21, 2016. Both of the aforementionedreferences are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Basedupon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize a variety of straps, tamper circuits, tamper devices,and/or attachment and tamper detection approaches that may be used inrelation to various embodiments. User attached monitor device 110 mayinclude a Wi-Fi transceiver capable of receiving information from one ormore Wi-Fi access points 187 that may be used to identify location via aWi-Fi communication link 113.

Turning to FIG. 1b , a block diagram of user detached monitor device 120is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments. User detachedmonitor device 120 includes wireless transceiver circuitry 128 that iscapable of sending and receiving information via wireless link 133to/from wide area wireless network 150. Wireless transceiver circuitry128 may be any circuitry, integrated circuit, and/or processor orcontroller capable of supporting wireless communication. Such wirelesscommunication may include, but is not limited to, cellular telephonecommunication, Internet communication via a Wi-Fi access point, or both.In addition, user detached monitor device 120 includes a vibrator 112, aspeaker 114, and a visual display and touch screen 116. In some cases,at scheduled times a user of user detached monitor device 120 is alertedof a need to check-in. The schedule of check-in times may be downloadedto a memory 124 by central monitoring station 160 via wireless link 133.The user may be alerted by one or more of: a visual prompt via visualdisplay and touch screen 116, an audio prompt via speaker 114, and atactile prompt via vibrator 112. Each of vibrator 112, speaker 114, andvisual display and touch screen 116 is communicatively coupled to memory124 and/or a control circuit 122 for controlling the operations thereof.In some cases, control circuit 122 includes a processor. In variouscases, control circuit 122 is part of an integrated circuit. In one ormore cases, memory 124 is included in an integrated circuit with controlcircuit 122. In various cases, memory 124 may include non-transientinstructions (e.g., software or firmware-based instructions) executableby controller circuit 122 to perform and/or enable various functionsassociated with user detached monitor device 120. A visual prompt mayinclude, but is not limited to, text, images and/or a combinationthereof, or a series of such visual prompts. An audio prompt mayinclude, but is not limited to, one or more different audio prompts, ora series thereof. Each prompt may be stored in memory 124 and retrievedin accordance with the schedule that is also maintained in memory 124.In some embodiments, alerting the user involves a prompt that includesan e-mail or text message generated by central monitoring station 160(e.g. the server supported website) and transmitted to the e-mailaccount or cellular phone number corresponding to user detached monitordevice 120. In particular embodiments, such a prompt may include a‘post’ on the user's ‘wall,’ ‘feed,’ or other social networkingprivilege. In some embodiments, the prompt may comprise an automated orlive phone call to the user.

User detached monitor device 120 further includes user identificationcircuitry 179 capable of gathering user identification information fromone or more of a microphone 171, a camera 173, a temperature sensor 175,and/or a biometric sensor 177. In some cases, user identificationcircuitry 179 is incorporated in an integrated circuit with controlcircuit 122. Microphone 171 is capable of accurately capturing the soundof a user's voice, camera 173 is capable of accurately capturing imagesincluding, for example, an image of the user's face, temperature sensor175 is capable of accurately capturing an ambient temperature arounduser detached monitor device 120, and biometric sensor 177 is capable ofaccurately capturing biometric data about the user including, but notlimited to, a thumb print, a retinal scan, or a breath-based alcoholmeasurement. Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize a variety of biometric data andcorresponding sensors that may be used in relation to differentembodiments. Under the direction of control circuitry 122, useridentification circuitry 179 assembles one or more elements of datagathered by microphone 171, a camera 173, a temperature sensor 175,and/or a biometric sensor 177 into a user identification package whichis forwarded to central monitoring station 160 via wireless transceivercircuitry 128. User detached monitor device 120 additionally includes amotion detector 111 operable to discern whether user detached monitordevice is moving. In some cases, motion detector 120 includes anaccelerometer circuit. Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one ofordinary skill in the art will recognize various circuits and/or sensorscapable of indicating that user detached monitor device is moving thatmay be used in relation to different embodiments.

User detached monitor device 120 additionally includes locationcircuitry 126. Location circuitry 126 may include one or more of, a GPSprocessing circuit capable of fixing a location of user detached monitordevice 120 using GPS data, a WiFi based location circuit capable offixing a location of user detached monitor device 120 using contactinformation with one or more WiFi access points, and/or a cell towertriangulation processing circuit capable of fixing a location of userdetached monitor device 120 using cell tower triangulation data. A localcommunication link 181 controls communication between user detachedmonitor device 120 and user attached monitor device 110. In someembodiments, local communication link 181 supports a Bluetooth™communication protocol and is capable of both receiving information fromuser attached monitor device 110 and transmitting information to userattached monitor device 110. In other embodiments, local communicationlink 181 supports a Wi-Fi communication protocol and is capable of bothreceiving information from user attached monitor device 110 andtransmitting information to user attached monitor device 110. In somecases, local communication link 181 supports communication in only areceive or transmit direction. Based upon the disclosure providedherein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety ofcommunication protocols and information transfer directions that may besupported by local communication link 181 in accordance with differentembodiments.

Additionally, user detached monitor device 120 includes a diagnosisapplication 199 that controls operation of one or more diagnostic testsdesigned to test the operational status of components of user detachedmonitor device 120 and/or user attached monitor device 110. Diagnosisapplication may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware-based, orsome combination of the aforementioned. In some cases, diagnosisapplication provides control for user detached monitor device 120 ofdiagnostic processes described below in one or more of FIGS. 2-6.

Turning to FIG. 1c , a block diagram 194 of user attached monitor device110 including a local communication link 159 is shown in accordance withsome embodiments. Local communication link 159 controls communicationbetween user attached monitor device 110 and user detached monitordevice 120. In some embodiments, local communication link 159 supports aBluetooth™ communication protocol and is capable of both receivinginformation from user detached monitor device 120 and transmittinginformation to user detached monitor device 120. In other embodiments,local communication link 159 supports a Wi-Fi communication protocol andis capable of both receiving information from user detached monitordevice 120 and transmitting information to user detached monitor device120. In some cases, local communication link 159 supports communicationin only a receive or transmit direction. Based upon the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize avariety of communication protocols and information transfer directionsthat may be supported by local communication link 159 in accordance withdifferent embodiments.

As shown, user attached monitor device 110 includes a device ID 161 thatmay be maintained in a memory 165, and is thus accessible by acontroller circuit 167. Controller circuit 167 is able to interact witha GPS receiver 162 and memory 165 at times for storing and generatingrecords of successively determined GPS locations. Similarly, controllercircuit 167 is able to interact with a Wi-Fi receiver 188 and memory 165at times for storing and generating records of successively determinedWi-Fi access point identifications and signal strength. In some cases,memory 165 may include non-transient instructions (e.g., software offirmware-based instructions) executable by controller circuit 167 toperform and/or enable various functions associated with user attachedmonitor device 110. As user attached monitor device 110 comes withinrange of one or more Wi-Fi access points (e.g., Wi-Fi access points187), a Wi-Fi receiver 188 senses the signal provided by the respectiveWi-Fi access points, and provides an identification of the respectiveWi-Fi access point and a signal strength of the signal received from theWi-Fi access point to Wi-Fi receiver 188. This information is providedto controller circuit 167 which stores the information to memory 165.

Where user attached monitor device 110 is operating in a standard mode,controller circuit 167 causes an update and reporting of the location ofuser attached monitor device 110 via a wide area transceiver 168 andwide area communication network 150. In some embodiments, wide areatransceiver 168 is a cellular telephone transceiver. In some cases, thelocation data is time stamped. In contrast, where user attached monitordevice 110 is within range of a public Wi-Fi access point, reporting thelocation of user attached monitor device 110 may be done via the publicWi-Fi access point in place of the cellular communication link. Inanother case where user attached monitor device 110 is operating in alow battery mode, reporting the location of user attached monitor device110 may be done via user detached monitoring device 120 coupled usinglocal communication link 159.

Which technologies are used to update the location of user attachedmonitor device 110 may be selected either by default, by programmingfrom central monitor station 160, or based upon sensed scenarios withcorresponding pre-determined selections. For example, it may bedetermined whether sufficient battery power as reported by power status196 remains in user attached monitor device 110 to support a particularposition determination technology. Where insufficient power remains, theparticular technology is disabled. In some cases, a maximum cost ofresolving location may be set for user attached monitor device 110. Forexample, resolving Wi-Fi location data may incur a per transaction costto have a third-party service provider resolve the location information.When a maximum number of resolution requests have been issued, the Wi-Fiposition determination technology may be disabled. Further, it may bedetermined whether the likelihood that a particular positiondetermination technology will be capable of providing meaningfullocation information. For example, where user attached monitor device110 is moved indoors, GPS receiver 162 may be disabled to save power.Alternatively, where the tracking device is traveling at relatively highspeeds, the Wi-Fi receiver 188 may be disabled. As yet another example,where cellular phone jamming is occurring, support for cell towertriangulation position determination may be disabled. As yet anotherexample, where GPS jamming is occurring, GPS receiver 162 may bedisabled. As yet another example, where user attached monitor device 110is stationary, the lowest cost (from both a monetary and powerstandpoint) tracking may be enabled while all other technologies aredisabled. Which position determination technologies are used may bebased upon which zone a tracking device is located. Some zones may berich in Wi-Fi access points and in such zones Wi-Fi technology may beused. Otherwise, another technology such as cell tower triangulation orGPS may be used. Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one ofordinary skill in the art will recognize other scenarios andcorresponding combinations of technologies may be best.

Controller circuit 167 of user attached monitor device 110 at timesfunctions in conjunction with wide area transceiver 168 to send andreceive data and signals through wide area communication network 150.This link at times is useful for passing information and/or controlsignals between a central monitoring system (not shown) and userattached monitor device 110. The information transmitted may include,but is not limited to, location information, alcohol information, andinformation about the status of user attached monitor device 110. Basedon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of information that may be transferred via wide areacommunication network 150.

Various embodiments of user attached monitor device 110 include avariety of sensors capable of determining the status of user detachedmonitor device 120, and of the individual associated therewith. Forexample, a status monitor 166 may include one or more of the followingsubcomponents: power status sensor 196 capable of indicating a powerstatus of user detached monitor device 120. The power status may beexpressed, for example as a percentage of battery life remaining. Basedupon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize a variety of forms in which power status may beexpressed. In addition, user attached monitor device 110 includes a setof shielding sensors 169 that are capable of determining whether userattached monitor device 110 is being shielded from receiving GPS signalsand/or if GPS jamming is ongoing, a set of device health indicators 154,a tamper sensor 131 capable of determining whether unauthorized accessto user attached monitor device 110 has occurred or whether userattached monitor device 110 has been removed from an associatedindividual being monitored, a motion/proximity sensor 152 capable ofdetermining whether user attached monitor device 110 is moving and/orwhether it is within proximity of an individual associated with userdetached monitor device 120, and/or an alcohol sensor 153. Such analcohol sensor may be any alcohol sensor capable of estimating an amountof alcohol in the individual being monitored. Based upon the disclosureprovided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize avariety of alcohol sensors and corresponding alcohol sensing circuitrythat may be used in relation to different embodiments. Based on thedisclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize a variety of shielding sensors, a variety of device healthtransducers and indicators, a variety of tamper sensors, variousdifferent types of motion sensors, different proximity to human sensors,and various human body physical measurement sensors or transducers thatmay be incorporated into user attached monitor device 110 according tovarious different instances and/or embodiments.

Turning to FIG. 1d , a user attached monitor device 1089 is shown withan example attachment element 1090 connected at opposite ends of userattached monitor device 1089 (i.e., a first end 1097 and a second end1098). Attachment element 1090 is operable to securely attach a trackingdevice 1095 (i.e., a combination of user attached monitor device 1089and attachment element 1090) to a limb of an individual in accordancewith some embodiments. In various embodiments, attachment element 1090includes electrically and/or optically conductive material used to makea conductive connection form first end 1097 to second end 1098 throughattachment element 1090 and is used in relation to determining whetheruser attached monitor device 1089 remains attached and/or has beentampered with. While FIG. 1d shows a strap as an example attachmentelement, based upon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize other types of attachment elements thatmay be used in relation to different embodiments.

Turning to FIG. 2, a flow diagram 200 shows a method in accordance withsome embodiments for using a combination of user detached monitor device120 and user attached monitor device 110 to diagnose operational statusof one or both of user detached monitor device 120 and/or the userattached monitor device 110. Following flow diagram 200, a diagnostictest is identified as a selected diagnostic test (block 205). Theselected diagnostic test may be designed to test one particular functionof either or both of user detached monitor device 120 and/or userattached monitor device 110. For example, the selected diagnostic testmay be designed to test whether a tamper indication received from tampersensor 151 of user attached monitor device 110 is likely indicative ofan actual tamper event or is spurious (i.e., a false alarm). As anotherexample, the selected diagnostic test may be designed to test whethermotion reported by motion/proximity sensor 152 of user attached monitordevice 110 reflects similar motion being reported by motion detector 111of user detached monitor device 120. As yet a further example, theselected diagnostic test may be designed to test whether locationinformation provided from user attached monitor device 110 is reasonablysimilar to location information provided from user detached monitordevice 120. As yet an additional example, the selected diagnostic testmay be designed to test whether WiFi receiver 188 of user attachedmonitor device 110 is seeing a substantially similar set of WiFi accesspoints 187 as those seen by wireless transceiver circuitry 128 of userdetached monitor device 120. Based upon the disclosure provided herein,one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize other functionality ofone or both of user attached monitor device 110 and user detachedmonitor device 120 that may be examined using the processes of FIG. 2.In some cases, the selected diagnostic test may be designed to test anumber of functions of either or both of user detached monitor device120 and/or user attached monitor device 110 in a single test.

A test setup for the selected diagnostic test is communicated to theuser attached monitor device 110 (block 210). This may include, forexample, transmitting one or more diagnostic test setup commands to userattached monitor device 110 where the commands are executable bycontroller circuit 167 to perform the selected diagnostic test. Whereuser detached monitor device 120 is the master in the diagnosticprocess, the test setup may be communicated to user attached monitordevice 110 by user detached monitor device 120 under the direction ofdiagnosis application 199 via communication between local communicationlink 181 of user detached monitor device 120 and local communicationlink 159 of user attached monitor device 110. Alternatively, wherecentral monitoring station 160 is the master in the diagnostic process,the test setup may be communicated to user attached monitor device 110by central monitoring station via 160 wide area network 150 over eitherWiFi or cellular communication links.

A delay period is allowed to pass to give user attached monitor device110 sufficient time to perform the selected test and gather resultsthereof (block 215). This delay period may, for example, be pre-selectedfor the selected diagnostic test or combination of diagnostic tests thatare to be performed. Once the time period has passed (block 215), theresults of the selected diagnostic test are received from user attachedmonitor device 110 (block 220). Where user detached monitor device 120is the master in the diagnostic process, the results may be communicatedto user detached monitor device 120 via communication between localcommunication link 181 of user detached monitor device 120 and localcommunication link 159 of user attached monitor device 110.Alternatively, where central monitoring station 160 is the master in thediagnostic process, the results may be communicated to centralmonitoring station 160 via wide area network 150 over either WiFi orcellular communication links.

In parallel to blocks 210-220, a test setup for the selected diagnostictest is communicated to the user detached monitor device 120 (block230). This may include, for example, transmitting one or more diagnostictest setup commands to user detached monitor device 120. In someembodiments where central monitoring station 160 is the master in thediagnostic process, the commands communicated are limited to commandsexecutable by controller circuit 122 to perform the selected diagnostictest. In other embodiments where user detached monitor device 120 is themaster in the diagnostic process, the commands communicated include bothcommands executable by controller circuit 122 to perform the selecteddiagnostic test in relation to user detached monitor device 120, andcommands to be communicated to user attached monitor device 110 underthe direction of diagnosis application 199 via communication betweenlocal communication link 181 of user detached monitor device 120 andlocal communication link 159 of user attached monitor device 110. Insuch a case, such communicated commands are those discussed above inrelation to block 210.

A delay period is allowed to pass to give user detached monitor device120 sufficient time to perform the selected test and gather resultsthereof (block 235). This delay period may, for example, be pre-selectedfor the selected diagnostic test or combination of diagnostic tests thatare to be performed. Once the time period has passed (block 235), theresults of the selected diagnostic test are received from the userdetached monitor device 120 (block 240). Where user detached monitordevice 120 is the master in the diagnostic process, the results arereceived from a module (software, hardware, or combination thereof)within user detached monitor device 120. Alternatively, where centralmonitoring station 160 is the master in the diagnostic process, theresults may be communicated to central monitoring station 160 via widearea network 150 over either WiFi or cellular communication links.

A combination of the results from the user attached monitor device 110and user detached monitor device 120 is analyzed to determineoperational status queried by the selected diagnostic test (block 270).This analysis is specific to the selected diagnostic and is designed toprovide information on the operational status of one or more of thefunctions (hardware, software, or combination thereof) in one or both ofuser detached monitor device 120 and user attached monitor device 110.Where user detached monitor device 120 is the master in the diagnosticprocess, either user detached monitor device 120 or central monitorstation 160 may perform the analysis. Where central monitor station 160is providing the analysis and user detached monitor device 120 is themaster in the diagnostic process, user detached monitor device 120transmits the combination of the results from the user attached monitordevice 110 and user detached monitor device 120 to the central monitorstation 160 via wide area network 150. Alternatively, where centralmonitoring station 160 is the master in the diagnostic process, centralmonitor station 160 receives individual results from both of userdetached monitor device 120 and user attached monitor device 110 andperforms the analysis.

Ultimately, the results of the analysis are reported (block 295).Depending upon, for example, the urgency of the selected diagnostictest, reporting the results may be an immediate electronic message to amonitor (e.g., parole office charged with monitoring the individual towhich the user attached monitor device is attached), or may result inrecording the results in a database. Based upon the disclosure providedherein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety ofreporting processes, recipients, and/or storage locations for theresults.

Turning to FIGS. 3a-3b , flow diagrams 300, 371 show a method inaccordance with some embodiments for using a combination of userdetached monitor device 120 and a user attached monitor device 110 todetermine whether a tamper indication from tamper sensor 151 of userattached monitor device 110 is spurious. Following flow diagram 300, aspurious tamper test is identified as a selected diagnostic test (block305). This selected diagnostic test is designed to test whether a tamperindication received from tamper sensor 151 of user attached monitordevice 110 is likely indicative of an actual tamper event or is spurious(i.e., a false alarm).

A command to request communication between the user attached monitordevice 110 and user detached monitor device 120 via local communicationlink 159 of user attached monitor device 110 and local communicationlink 181 of user detached monitor device 120 is sent to user attachedmonitor device (block 310). Where user detached monitor device 120 isthe master in the diagnostic process, the command to communicate vialocal communication link 159 and local communication link 181 may beprovided from user detached monitor device 120 via the same localcommunication links under the direction of diagnosis application 199.Alternatively, where central monitoring station 160 is the master in thediagnostic process, the command to communicate via local communicationlink 159 and local communication link 181 is communicated to userattached monitor device 110 by central monitoring station 160 via widearea network 150 over either WiFi or cellular communication links.

In addition, location determination circuitry (either GPS receiver 162or WiFi receiver 188 along with location determination processes) isenabled in user attached monitor device 110, and the location of userattached monitor device 110 is requested (block 315). In addition,motion/proximity sensor 152 of user attached monitor device 110 isenabled and motion information is requested from user attached monitordevice 110 (block 320).

A delay period is allowed to pass to give user attached monitor device110 sufficient time to determine the location of user attached monitordevice 110 and to establish whether user attached monitor device 110 ismoving (block 325). During this time, the respective circuitry of userattached monitor device 110 operates to determine the requested locationand motion information. Once the time period has passed (block 325), thelocation and motion information determined by user attached monitordevice 110 is received from user attached monitor device 110 (block330). Where user detached monitor device 120 is the master in thediagnostic process, the results may be communicated to user detachedmonitor device 120 via communication between local communication link181 of user detached monitor device 120 and local communication link 159of user attached monitor device 110. Alternatively, where centralmonitoring station 160 is the master in the diagnostic process, theresults may be communicated to central monitoring station 160 via widearea network 150 over either WiFi or cellular communication links.

In parallel to blocks 310-330, a request to delay is provided to userdetached monitor device 120 along with a request for a response as towhether the communication request of block 310 was completed by userattached monitor device 110 via a combination of local communicationlink 159 and local communication link 181 (block 340). The delay periodis sufficient to allow user attached monitor device 110 to receive therequest of block 310 and to respond.

In addition, location determination circuitry (location detectioncircuit 126 along with location determination processes) is enabled inuser detached monitor device 120, and the location of user detachedmonitor device 120 is requested (block 345). In addition, motiondetector 111 of user detached monitor device 120 is enabled and motioninformation is requested from user detached monitor device 120 (block350).

A delay period is allowed to pass to give user detached monitor device120 sufficient time to determine the location of user detached monitordevice 120 and to establish whether user detached monitor device 120 ismoving (block 355). During this time, the respective circuitry of userattached monitor device 110 operates to determine the requested locationand motion information. Once the time period has passed (block 325), thelocation and motion information determined by user detached monitordevice 120 is received from user detached monitor device 120 (block360). Where user detached monitor device 120 is the master in thediagnostic process, the results are received from a module (software,hardware, or combination thereof) within user detached monitor device120. Alternatively, where central monitoring station 160 is the masterin the diagnostic process, the results may be communicated to centralmonitoring station 160 via wide area network 150 over either WiFi orcellular communication links.

A combination of whether communication via the local communication linkswas requested by user attached monitor device 110, and the location andmotion information from both user attached monitor device 110 and userdetached monitor device 120 is analyzed to determine whether a receivedtamper indication is spurious (block 370). Block 370 is shown in dashedlines as the analysis is shown in greater detail in flow diagram 371which is discussed in more detail below in relation to FIG. 3 b.

Where user detached monitor device 120 is the master in the diagnosticprocess, either user detached monitor device 120 or central monitorstation 160 may perform the analysis. Where central monitor station 160is providing the analysis and user detached monitor device 120 is themaster in the diagnostic process, user detached monitor device 120transmits the combination of the results from the user attached monitordevice 110 and user detached monitor device 120 to the central monitorstation 160 via wide area network 150. Alternatively, where centralmonitoring station 160 is the master in the diagnostic process, centralmonitor station 160 receives individual results from both of userdetached monitor device 120 and user attached monitor device 110 andperforms the analysis.

Ultimately, the results of the analysis are reported (block 395).Depending upon, for example, the urgency of the selected diagnostictest, reporting the results may be an immediate electronic message to amonitor (e.g., parole office charged with monitoring the individual towhich the user attached monitor device is attached), or may result inrecording the results in a database. Based upon the disclosure providedherein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety ofreporting processes, recipients, and/or storage locations for theresults.

Turning to FIG. 3b , flow diagram 371 shows an example analysis of block370 that may be performed in relation to one or more embodiments.Following flow diagram 371, proximity results indicating the proximityof user attached monitor device 110 to the limb of the individual towhich user attached monitor device 110 is supposed to be attached arereceived from motion/proximity sensor 152 of user attached monitordevice 110 (block 302). Again, where where user detached monitor device120 is the master in the diagnostic process, the results are receivedfrom a module (software, hardware, or combination thereof) within userdetached monitor device 120. Alternatively, where central monitoringstation 160 is the master in the diagnostic process, the results may becommunicated to central monitoring station 160 from user attachedmonitor device 110 via wide area network 150 over either WiFi orcellular communication links.

It is determined whether the proximity results received from userattached monitor device 110 indicate that user attached monitor deviceis within a defined proximity of a limb of the individual to which userattached monitor device 110 is supposed to be attached (block 304).Where the proximity results indicate that user attached monitor device110 is not within the defined proximity (block 304), it is likely that apreviously received tamper from user attached monitor device 110 was notspurious as it appears that the tamper resulted in removal of userattached monitor device 110 from the limb (block 318).

Alternatively, where the proximity results indicate that user attachedmonitor device 110 is still within the defined proximity (block 304), itis determined whether the communication request of block 310 wasreceived by user detached monitor device 120 (block 306). Where thecommunication request was not received (block 306), it is determinedwhether the location information from the user attached monitor device110 and the location information from the user detached monitor device120 indicate that user attached monitor device 110 and user detachedmonitor device 120 are within a preset distance of each other (block308). Where user attached monitor device 110 and user detached monitordevice 120 are not within a preset distance of each other (block 308),it is likely that a previously received tamper from user attachedmonitor device 110 was not spurious as it appears that the tamperresulted in removal of user attached monitor device 110 from the limb(block 318).

Alternatively, where user attached monitor device 110 and user detachedmonitor device 120 are within a preset distance of each other (block308), the motion information received from user attached monitor device110 and the motion information from user detached monitor device 120 isused to determine whether both user attached monitor device 110 and userdetached monitor device 120 are moving (block 312). Where it isdetermined that user attached monitor device 110 and user detachedmonitor device 120 are not both moving (block 312), it is determinedwhether both user attached monitor device 110 and user detached monitordevice 120 are moving (block 314). Where one of user attached monitordevice 110 or user detached monitor device 120 is moving and the otherof user attached monitor device 110 and user detached monitor device 120is not moving (i.e., user attached monitor device 110 and user detachedmonitor device 120 are not both non-moving)(block 314), it is likelythat a previously received tamper from user attached monitor device 110was not spurious as it appears that the tamper resulted in removal ofuser attached monitor device 110 from the limb (block 318).

Alternatively, where both user attached monitor device 110 and userdetached monitor device 120 are not moving (block 314) or both userattached monitor device 110 and user detached monitor device 120 aremoving (block 312), it is likely that a previously received tamper fromuser attached monitor device 110 was spurious (block 316).

Turning to FIGS. 4a-4b , flow diagrams 400, 471 show a method inaccordance with some embodiments for using a combination of userdetached monitor device 120 and a user attached monitor device 110 todetermine operational status of location circuitry (location detectioncircuitry 126 of user detached monitor device 120 and/or GPS receiver162 or WiFi location ability using WiFi receiver 188 of user attachedmonitor device 110) in one or both of the user detached monitor device120 and/or the user attached monitor device 110. Following flow diagram400, a location equipment test is selected (block 405). This selecteddiagnostic test is designed to test whether location functionalityincluding location circuitry in user attached monitor device 110 anduser detached monitor device 120 is operating acceptably.

A command to request that the user attached monitor device 110 performlocation determination using GPS locating circuitry (e.g., GPS receiver162) is provided to user attached monitor device 110 (block 410). Whereuser detached monitor device 120 is the master in the diagnosticprocess, the command to determine location may be provided from userdetached monitor device 120 via local communication link 159 and localcommunication link 181 under the direction of diagnosis application 199.Alternatively, where central monitoring station 160 is the master in thediagnostic process, the command to determine location is communicated touser attached monitor device 110 by central monitoring station 160 viawide area network 150 over either WiFi or cellular communication links.

A delay period is allowed to pass to give user attached monitor device110 sufficient time to determine the GPS based location of user attachedmonitor device 110 (block 415). During this time, the respectivecircuitry of user attached monitor device 110 operates to determine therequested location information. Once the time period has passed (block415), the GPS location information determined by user attached monitordevice 110 is received from user attached monitor device 110 (block420).

A command to request that user attached monitor device 110 performlocation determination using WiFi locating circuitry (e.g., WiFireceiver 188) is provided to user attached monitor device 110 (block425). Again, where user detached monitor device 120 is the master in thediagnostic process, the command to determine location may be providedfrom user detached monitor device 120 via local communication link 159and local communication link 181 under the direction of diagnosisapplication 199. Alternatively, where central monitoring station 160 isthe master in the diagnostic process, the command to determine locationis communicated to user attached monitor device 110 by centralmonitoring station 160 via wide area network 150 over either WiFi orcellular communication links.

A delay period is allowed to pass to give user attached monitor device110 sufficient time to determine the WiFi based location of userattached monitor device 110 (block 430). During this time, therespective circuitry of user attached monitor device 110 operates todetermine the requested location information. Once the time period haspassed (block 430), the WiFi location information determined by userattached monitor device 110 is received from user attached monitordevice 110 (block 435).

In parallel to blocks 410-435, a command to request that the userdetached monitor device 120 perform location determination using GPSlocating circuitry (e.g., GPS functionality of location detectioncircuit 126) is provided to user detached monitor device 120 (block440). In some embodiments, this command is maintained in diagnosisapplication 199 and is requested by central monitoring station 160 viawide area network 150 over either WiFi or cellular communication links.

A delay period is allowed to pass to give user detached monitor device120 sufficient time to determine the GPS based location of user detachedmonitor device 120 (block 445). During this time, the respectivecircuitry of user detached monitor device 120 operates to determine therequested location information. Once the time period has passed (block445), the GPS location information determined by user detached monitordevice 120 is received from user detached monitor device 120 (block450). Where user detached monitor device 120 is the master in thediagnostic process, the results are received from a module (software,hardware, or combination thereof) within user detached monitor device120. Alternatively, where central monitoring station 160 is the masterin the diagnostic process, the results may be communicated to centralmonitoring station 160 via wide area network 150 over either WiFi orcellular communication links.

A command to request that user detached monitor device 120 performlocation determination using WiFi locating circuitry (e.g., WiFifunctionality of location detection circuit 126) is provided to userdetached monitor device 120 (block 455). In some embodiments, thiscommand is maintained in diagnosis application 199 and is requested bycentral monitoring station 160 via wide area network 150 over eitherWiFi or cellular communication links.

A delay period is allowed to pass to give user detached monitor device120 sufficient time to determine the WiFi based location of userdetached monitor device 120 (block 460). During this time, therespective circuitry of user detached monitor device 120 operates todetermine the requested location information. Once the time period haspassed (block 460), the WiFi location information determined by userdetached monitor device 120 is received from user detached monitordevice 120 (block 465). Where user detached monitor device 120 is themaster in the diagnostic process, the results are received from a module(software, hardware, or combination thereof) within user detachedmonitor device 120. Alternatively, where central monitoring station 160is the master in the diagnostic process, the results may be communicatedto central monitoring station 160 via wide area network 150 over eitherWiFi or cellular communication links.

A combination of the GPS location information and the WiFi locationinformation from both user attached monitor device 110 and user detachedmonitor device 120 is analyzed (block 470). Block 470 is shown in dashedlines as the analysis is shown in greater detail in flow diagram 471which is discussed in more detail below in relation to FIG. 4 b.

Where user detached monitor device 120 is the master in the diagnosticprocess, either user detached monitor device 120 or central monitorstation 160 may perform the analysis. Where central monitor station 160is providing the analysis and user detached monitor device 120 is themaster in the diagnostic process, user detached monitor device 120transmits the combination of the results from the user attached monitordevice 110 and user detached monitor device 120 to the central monitorstation 160 via wide area network 150. Alternatively, where centralmonitoring station 160 is the master in the diagnostic process, centralmonitor station 160 receives individual results from both of userdetached monitor device 120 and user attached monitor device 110 andperforms the analysis.

Ultimately, the results of the analysis are reported (block 495).Depending upon, for example, the urgency of the selected diagnostictest, reporting the results may be an immediate electronic message to amonitor (e.g., parole office charged with monitoring the individual towhich the user attached monitor device is attached), or may result inrecording the results in a database. Based upon the disclosure providedherein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety ofreporting processes, recipients, and/or storage locations for theresults.

Turning to FIG. 4b , flow diagram 471 shows an example analysis of block470 that may be performed in relation to one or more embodiments.Following flow diagram 471, it is determined whether the GPS locationinformation for user attached monitor device 110 is unavailable (block402). Such GPS location information may be unavailable where, forexample, either GPS receiver 162 is not functioning or where userattached monitor device 110 is at a location where it cannot receiveinformation from GPS satellites 145. Where GPS location information isnot available from user attached monitor device 110 (block 402), it isdetermined whether GPS location information is unavailable for userdetached monitor device 120 (block 406). Where GPS location informationis unavailable for user attached monitor device 110 (block 402) andunavailable for user detached monitor device 120 (block 406), it isdetermined that the GPS location test results are indefinite as itappears that the unavailability is due to an inability to receive GPSsignals at the location where both user attached monitor device 110 anduser detached monitor device 120 are located (block 414). Alternatively,where GPS location information is unavailable for user attached monitordevice 110 (block 402), but is available for user detached monitordevice 120 (block 406), it is determined that the GPS location test forthe user attached monitor device 110 was a fail because GPS signalsappear to be available at the location where both user attached monitordevice 110 and user detached monitor device 120 are located, but userattached monitor device 110 failed to properly receive and/or properlyprocess the available signals (block 412).

Alternatively, where GPS location information is available from userattached monitor device 110 (block 402), it is determined whether GPSlocation information is unavailable for user detached monitor device 120(block 404). Where GPS location information is available for userattached monitor device 110 (block 402), but unavailable for userdetached monitor device 120 (block 404), it is determined that the GPSlocation test for the user detached monitor device 120 was a failbecause GPS signals appear to be available at the location where bothuser attached monitor device 110 and user detached monitor device 120are located, but user detached monitor device 120 failed to properlyreceive and/or properly process the available signals (block 416).

Where, on the other hand, GPS location information is available for bothuser attached monitor device 110 (block 402) and for user detachedmonitor device 120 (block 404), the GPS location information from bothuser attached monitor device 110 and user detached monitor device 120 iscompared to determine whether the difference between the reportedlocation of user attached monitor device 110 and user detached monitordevice 120 is within a defined threshold (block 408). Where thedifference in the reported GPS locations is within a defined distance(block 408), the GPS location test passes for both user attached monitordevice 110 and user detached monitor device 120 (block 422). Otherwise,the GPS location test fails for both user attached monitor device 110and user detached monitor device 120 (block 418).

It is determined whether the WiFi location information for user attachedmonitor device 110 is unavailable (block 424). Such WiFi locationinformation may be unavailable where, for example, either WiFi receiver188 is not functioning or where user attached monitor device 110 is at alocation where it cannot receive information from signals from WiFiaccess points 187. Where WiFi location information is not available fromuser attached monitor device 110 (block 424), it is determined whetherWiFi location information is unavailable for user detached monitordevice 120 (block 428). Where WiFi location information is unavailablefor user attached monitor device 110 (block 402) and unavailable foruser detached monitor device 120 (block 406), it is determined that theWiFi location test results are indefinite as it appears that theunavailability is due to an inability to receive WiFi signals at thelocation where both user attached monitor device 110 and user detachedmonitor device 120 are located (block 436). Alternatively, where WiFilocation information is unavailable for user attached monitor device 110(block 424), but is available for user detached monitor device 120(block 428), it is determined that the WiFi location test for the userattached monitor device 110 was a fail because WiFi signals appear to beavailable at the location where at the location where both user attachedmonitor device 110 and user detached monitor device 120 are located, butuser attached monitor device 110 failed to properly receive and/orproperly process the available signals (block 434).

Alternatively, where WiFi location information is available from userattached monitor device 110 (block 424), it is determined whether WiFilocation information is unavailable for user detached monitor device 120(block 426). Where WiFi location information is available for userattached monitor device 110 (block 424), but unavailable for userdetached monitor device 120 (block 426), it is determined that the WiFilocation test for the user detached monitor device 120 was a failbecause WiFi signals appear to be available at the location where at thelocation where both user attached monitor device 110 and user detachedmonitor device 120 are located, but user detached monitor device 120failed to properly receive and/or properly process the available signals(block 438).

Where, on the other hand, WiFi location information is available forboth user attached monitor device 110 (block 424) and for user detachedmonitor device 120 (block 428), the WiFi location information from bothuser attached monitor device 110 and user detached monitor device 120 iscompared to determine whether the difference between the reportedlocation of user attached monitor device 110 and user detached monitordevice 120 is within a defined threshold (block 432). Where thedifference in the reported WiFi locations is within a defined distance(block 432), the WiFi location test passes for both user attachedmonitor device 110 and user detached monitor device 120 (block 442).Otherwise, the WiFi location test fails for both user attached monitordevice 110 and user detached monitor device 120 (block 444).

Turning to FIG. 5, a flow diagram 500 shows a method in accordance withsome embodiments for using a combination of user detached monitor device120 and user attached monitor device 110 to diagnose operational statusof WiFi functionality of one or both of the user detached monitor device120 and/or the user attached monitor device 110. Following flow diagram500, a WiFi reception test is selected (block 505). This selecteddiagnostic test is designed to test whether WiFi receiving functionalityincluding WiFi receiver 188 of user attached monitor device 110 and WiFicapability of wireless transceiver of user detached monitor device 120is operating properly.

A command to request that the user attached monitor device 110 identifyall WiFi access points 187 visible to WiFi receiver 188 is provided touser attached monitor device 110 (block 510). Where user detachedmonitor device 120 is the master in the diagnostic process, the commandto determine WiFi reception may be provided from user detached monitordevice 120 via local communication link 159 and local communication link181 under the direction of diagnosis application 199. Alternatively,where central monitoring station 160 is the master in the diagnosticprocess, the command to determine WiFi reception is communicated to userattached monitor device 110 by central monitoring station 160 via widearea network 150 over either WiFi or cellular communication links.

A delay period is allowed to pass to give user attached monitor device110 sufficient time to determine all WiFi access points 187 visible touser attached monitor device 110 (block 515). During this time, therespective circuitry of user attached monitor device 110 operates toprepare a list of all visible WiFi access points. Once the time periodhas passed (block 515), the list of visible WiFi access points isreceived from user attached monitor device 110 (block 520).

In parallel to blocks 510-520, a command to request that the userdetached monitor device 120 identify all WiFi access points 187 visibleto wireless transceiver circuitry 128 is provided to user detachedmonitor device 120 (block 530). In some embodiments, this command ismaintained in diagnosis application 199 and is requested by centralmonitoring station 160 via wide area network 150 over either WiFi orcellular communication links.

A delay period is allowed to pass to give user detached monitor device120 sufficient time to determine all WiFi access points 187 visible touser detached monitor device 120 (block 535). During this time, therespective circuitry of user detached monitor device 120 operates toprepare a list of all visible WiFi access points. Once the time periodhas passed (block 535), the list of visible WiFi access points isreceived from user detached monitor device 120 (block 540).

The list of WiFi access points visible to user attached monitor device110 is compared with the list of WiFi access points visible to userdetached monitor device 120 (block 570). It is determined whether thenumber of WiFi access points visible to both user attached monitordevice 110 and user detached monitor device 120 as a percentage of thesum of the number of WiFi access points visible to at least one of userattached monitor device 110 and user detached monitor device 120 isgreater than a predefined threshold value (block 572). Where thepercentage of Wifi Access points visible to both user attached monitordevice 110 and user detached monitor device 120 is greater than thepredefined threshold value (block 572), it is determined that the WiFireception test passes (block 574). Otherwise, where the percentage ofWifi Access points visible to both user attached monitor device 110 anduser detached monitor device 120 is not greater than the predefinedthreshold value (block 572), it is determined that the WiFi receptiontest fails (block 576). The result of the WiFi reception test isreported (block 595). Depending upon, for example, the urgency of theselected diagnostic test, reporting the results may be an immediateelectronic message to a monitor (e.g., parole office charged withmonitoring the individual to which the user attached monitor device isattached), or may result in recording the results in a database. Basedupon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize a variety of reporting processes, recipients, and/orstorage locations for the result.

Turning to FIG. 6, a flow diagram 600 shows a method in accordance withsome embodiments for using a combination of user detached monitor device120 and user attached monitor device 110 to diagnose operational statusof motion detection functionality of one or both of the user detachedmonitor device 120 and/or the user attached monitor device 110.Following flow diagram 600, a motion operational test is selected (block605). This selected diagnostic test is designed to test whether motiondetection functionality including motion/proximity sensor 152 of userattached monitor device 110 and motion detector 111 of user detachedmonitor device 120 is operating properly.

A command to request that user attached monitor device 110 continuouslyrecord and time stamp motion information from motion/proximity sensor152 is provided to user attached monitor device 110 (block 610). Whereuser detached monitor device 120 is the master in the diagnosticprocess, the command to determine motion may be provided from userdetached monitor device 120 via local communication link 159 and localcommunication link 181 under the direction of diagnosis application 199.Alternatively, where central monitoring station 160 is the master in thediagnostic process, the command to determine motion is communicated touser attached monitor device 110 by central monitoring station 160 viawide area network 150 over either WiFi or cellular communication links.

A delay period is allowed to pass to give user attached monitor device110 sufficient time to provide a time stamped list of motion detection(block 615). In some embodiments, the time period is fifteen minutes.Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in theart will recognize other suitable time periods. During this time, therespective circuitry of user attached monitor device 110 operates toprepare a time stamped list of detected motion and non-motion. Once thetime period has passed (block 615), the time stamped list of detectedmotion and non-motion is received from user attached monitor device 110(block 620).

In parallel to blocks 610-620, a command to request that user detachedmonitor device 120 continuously record and time stamp motion informationfrom motion detector 111 is provided to user detached monitor device 120(block 630). In some embodiments, this command is maintained indiagnosis application 199 and is requested by central monitoring station160 via wide area network 150 over either WiFi or cellular communicationlinks.

A delay period is allowed to pass to give user attached monitor device110 sufficient time to provide a time stamped list of motion detection(block 635). In some embodiments, the time period is fifteen minutes.Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in theart will recognize other suitable time periods. During this time, therespective circuitry of user detached monitor device 120 operates toprepare a time stamped list of detected motion and non-motion. Once thetime period has passed (block 635), the time stamped list of detectedmotion and non-motion is received from user detached monitor device 120(block 640).

The time stamped list of motion from user attached monitor device 110 iscompared with the time stamped list of motion from user detached monitordevice 120 (block 670). This comparison includes aligning time stampsand comparing only entries in the respective lists with similar timestamps. It is determined whether the number of periods indicating motion(i.e., similar time stamps with corresponding motion entries) reportedby both user attached monitor device 110 and user detached monitordevice 120 as a percentage of the sum of the number of correspondingperiods in the respective lists from each of user attached monitordevice 110 and user detached monitor device 120 is greater than apredefined threshold value (block 672). Where the percentage of motionindication for both user attached monitor device 110 and user detachedmonitor device 120 is greater than a sum of all of the correspondingperiods (i.e., similar time stamp points occurring in data received fromboth user attached monitor device 110 and user detached monitor device120) is greater than a predefined threshold value (block 672), it isdetermined that the motion operational test passes (block 674).Otherwise, where the percentage is not greater than the predefinedthreshold value (block 672), it is determined that the the motionoperational test fails (block 676). The result of the WiFi receptiontest is reported (block 695). Depending upon, for example, the urgencyof the selected diagnostic test, reporting the results may be animmediate electronic message to a monitor (e.g., parole office chargedwith monitoring the individual to which the user attached monitor deviceis attached), or may result in recording the results in a database.Based upon the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in theart will recognize a variety of reporting processes, recipients, and/orstorage locations for the result.

In conclusion, the present invention provides for novel systems,devices, and methods for diagnosing operational status of devices and/orsoftware in a monitoring system. While detailed descriptions of one ormore embodiments of the invention have been given above, variousalternatives, modifications, and equivalents will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art without varying from the spirit of the invention.Therefore, the above description should not be taken as limiting thescope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for determining operation status of amonitoring system, the method comprising: transmitting a first testcommand to a user attached monitor device, wherein the user attachedmonitor device is physically attached to an individual being monitored;providing a second test command to a user detached monitor device,wherein the user detached monitor device is associated with theindividual being monitored; receiving a first test result in response tothe first test command from the user attached monitor device; receivinga second test result corresponding to the second test command from theuser detached monitor device; and analyzing a combination of the firsttest result and the second test result to determine an operation statusof at least one of the user attached monitor device and the userdetached monitor device.
 2. The method of claim 1, the method furthercomprising: providing the user attached monitor device, wherein the userattached monitor device includes: location determination functionality,motion determination functionality, and a strap for attaching the userattached monitor device to the individual.
 3. The method of claim 1, themethod further comprising: providing the user detached monitor device,wherein the user detached monitor device includes: locationdetermination functionality, and motion determination functionality. 4.The method of claim 3, wherein the user detached monitor device is acellular communication device.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein theanalyzing is performed by a central monitoring station, the methodfurther comprising: reporting an analysis result derived from analyzingthe combination of the first test result and the second test result,wherein the analysis result is reported from the central monitoringstation to a person assigned to monitor the individual.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the analyzing is performed by the user detached monitordevice, the method further comprising: reporting an analysis resultderived from analyzing the combination of the first test result and thesecond test result, wherein the analysis result is reported from theuser detached monitor device to a person assigned to monitor theindividual via the central monitoring station.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein: the first test command commands the user attached monitordevice to determine location of the user attached monitor device; thefirst test result is selected from a group consisting of: a location ofthe user attached monitor device, and a location unavailable message;the second test command commands the user detached monitor device todetermine location of the user detached monitor device; the second testresult is selected from a group consisting of: a location of the userdetached monitor device, and a location unavailable message; andanalyzing the combination of the first test result and the second testresult includes utilizing both the first test result and the second testresult to determine an analysis result indicating at least one of: auser attached motion test fail, a user detached motion test fail, amotion test indefinite, a user attached motion test pass, or a userdetached motion test pass.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the userattached monitor device determined the location of the user attachedmonitor device using wireless satellite signals; and wherein the userdetached monitor device determined the location of the user detachedmonitor device using wireless satellite signals.
 9. The method of claim7, wherein the user attached monitor device determined the location ofthe user attached monitor device using wireless signals from one or moreWiFi access points; and wherein the user detached monitor devicedetermined the location of the user detached monitor device usingwireless signals from one or more WiFi access points.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein: the first test command commands the user attachedmonitor device to identify WiFi access points visible to the userattached monitor device; the first test result is the list of the ofWiFi access points visible to the user attached monitor device; thesecond test command commands the user detached monitor device toidentify WiFi access points visible to the user detached monitor device;the second test result is the list of the of WiFi access points visibleto the user detached monitor device; and analyzing the combination ofthe first test result and the second test result includes comparing thelist of WiFi access points visible to the user attached monitor deviceto the list of WiFi access points visible to the user detached monitordevice to determine that both the user attached monitor device and theuser detached monitor device are seeing a common subset of the list ofWiFi access points visible to the user attached monitor device and thelist of WiFi access points visible to the user detached monitor device.11. The method of claim 1, wherein: the first test command commands theuser attached monitor device to determine motion of the user attachedmonitor device; the first test result is a motion result selected from agroup consisting of: a motion indication, a no motion indication, aplurality of motion indications, a plurality of no motion indications,and a combination of motion indications and no motion indication; thesecond test command commands the user detached monitor device todetermine motion of the user detached monitor device; the second testresult is a motion result selected from a group consisting of: a motionindication, a no motion indication, a plurality of motion indications, aplurality of no motion indications, and a combination of motionindications and no motion indication; and analyzing the combination ofthe first test result and the second test result includes comparing thesecond test result with the first test result.
 12. The method of claim1, wherein: the first test command commands the user attached monitordevice to determine motion of the user attached monitor device; thefirst test result includes a first list of time stamped indicationsobtained over a first period of time by the user attached monitordevice, wherein the first list of time stamped indications includes: atleast one motion indication, at least one no motion indication, or acombination of at least one motion indication and at least one no motionindication; the second test command commands the user detached monitordevice to determine motion of the user detached monitor device; thesecond test result includes a second list of time stamped indicationsobtained over a second period of time by the user detached monitordevice, wherein the second list of time stamped indications includes: atleast one motion indication, at least one no motion indication, or acombination of at least one motion indication and at least one no motionindication; and analyzing the combination of the first test result andthe second test result includes comparing at least one entry in thefirst test result with at least one entry in the second test resultwhere the at least one entry in the first test result corresponds to atime stamp indicating a time similar to a time stamp corresponding tothe at least one entry in the second test result.
 13. The method ofclaim 1, the method further comprising: providing the user attachedmonitor device, wherein the user attached monitor device includes: atamper detection module, a location determination module, a motiondetermination module, and a strap for attaching the user attachedmonitor device to the individual; and wherein a tamper indication isreceived from the tamper detection module.
 14. The method of claim 13,wherein: the first test command commands the user attached monitordevice to determine a location of the user attached monitor device and amotion status of the user attached monitor device; the first test resultis the location of the user attached monitor device and the motionindication of user detached monitor device; the second test commandcommands the user detached monitor device to determine a location of theuser detached monitor device and a motion status of the user detachedmonitor device; the second test result is the location of the userdetached monitor device and the motion indication of user detachedmonitor device; and analyzing the combination of the first test resultand the second test result includes using at least a combination of: thelocation of the user attached monitor device, and the motion indicationof user attached monitor device, the location of the user detachedmonitor device, and the motion indication of user detached monitordevice to determine that the tamper indication is likely a false alarm.15. The method of claim 14, wherein the user attached monitor devicefurther includes a proximity sensor operable to provide a proximityresult indicating whether the user attached monitor device is within agiven distance of a limb of the individual being monitored, and wherein:analyzing the combination of the first test result and the second testresult includes using at least a combination of: the proximity result,the location of the user attached monitor device, and the motionindication of user attached monitor device, the location of the userdetached monitor device, and the motion indication of user detachedmonitor device to determine that the tamper indication is likely a falsealarm.
 16. A system for determining operation status of a monitoringsystem, the system comprising: a central monitoring station including aprocessor and a computer readable medium, the computer readable mediumincluding instructions executable by the processor to: provide a firsttest command to a user attached monitor device, wherein the userattached monitor device is physically attached to an individual beingmonitored; provide a second test command to a user detached monitordevice, wherein the user detached monitor device is associated with theindividual being monitored; receive a first test result corresponding tothe first test command from the user attached monitor device; receive asecond test result corresponding to the second test command from theuser detached monitor device; and analyze a combination of the firsttest result and the second test result to determine an operation statusof at least one of the user attached monitor device and the userdetached monitor device.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein thecomputer readable medium further includes instructions executable by theprocessor to: provide the user attached monitor device, wherein the userattached monitor device includes: location determination functionality,motion determination functionality, and a strap for attaching the userattached monitor device to the individual.
 18. The system of claim 16,wherein the computer readable medium further includes instructionsexecutable by the processor to: provide the user detached monitordevice, wherein the user detached monitor device includes: locationdetermination functionality, and motion determination functionality. 19.The system of claim 18, wherein the user detached monitor device is acellular telephone.
 20. The system of claim 16, wherein the computerreadable medium further includes instructions executable by theprocessor to: report an analysis result derived from analyzing thecombination of the first test result and the second test result, whereinthe analysis result is reported from the central monitoring station to aperson assigned to monitor the individual.